As of yesterday, the Pier 26 Science Playground is officially open! This marine science-themed playground holds two larger-than-life interactive sturgeon fish, one the Atlantic sturgeon and the other a short-nosed sturgeon, where children can climb inside, up and over to explore.

The innovative play space is where the aquatic Hudson River habitat will inspire children both as an extraordinary playscape but also as an educational opportunity. Designed to spark the imagination, this playground will be a valuable resource for learning and play for NYC families. It will also serve as the outdoor extension of the environmental programming at the ecology-focused Pier 26 and the future Hudson River Park Estuarium.

Four essential learning opportunities have been designed into the science play area: (1) reading, (2) visual, (3) kinesthetic, and (4) auditory. These learning experiences are found in a diversity of spaces that represent both the habitat and the anatomy of the sturgeons.

We’re so proud and excited to see the culmination of a decade of hard work on Pier 26, which opened in 2020. The Sturgeon playscape is an integral part of the broader ecologically focused pier. Congratulations to our team and Hudson River Park.

Thank you to MONSTRUM, Hudson River Park, and all of the individuals who made this truly unique and educational playground a reality!

Photos courtesy of Hudson River Park